Brockswood

A little oasis in the Black Country...

Staying Safe During Your Visit

Visiting a farm like Brockswood can be an enjoyable and educational experience for many people especially children. However, such visits can never be completely free from all risks, and even healthy and well cared for farm animals may harbour infections such as E coli 0157. Following the simple rules listed below will help to make your visit a safe one for both you and your children.

*** Please note that pregnant women should take extra care ***

Simple Rules for a Safe Visit

Do not use gels or wipes instead of washing hands with soap and water. Gels and wipes do not remove E coli 0157 in dirt.

Do not put hands on faces or fingers in mouth while petting animals, feeding animals, or walking around the farm.

Do not kiss animals or allow children to put their faces close to the animals.

Do not eat, drink or smoke while touching/feeding animals or walking around the farm. This includes not eating sweets, crisps or chewing gum.

Do not eat anything that has fallen on the floor.

Do wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after you have touched the animals, fences or any other surfaces around the animal enclosures.

Do wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating and drinking.

Do remove boots or shoes that might have become soiled and then wash hands thoroughly with soap and water when finished.

Do supervise children closely to ensure they adhere to these rules.

Do eat and drink in the picnic area and café only.

Petting & Feeding the Animals

We take great care to ensure that all the animal you come into contact with are both healthy and are happy with the attention they get from the public. The following guidelines will help you to have a safe and enjoyable animal experience.

Children under 5 years will probably have hands that are too small for direct feeding of the animals and therefore caution and discretion should be exercised by the parents and/or guardians of the under 5's.

When directly feeding the animals keep your hand completely flat. If you let your fingers curl upwards or your thumb is not flat to the side of your hand then the animals may accidentally catch your fingers or thumb with their teeth. Although the animals we allow you to feed would not do this deliberately, it can still be a little painful should it happen accidentally.

When petting the animals ensure that they can see your hands do not contain food for them, otherwise they may assume they are being fed and try to take food that’s not there.

Always pet animals at the fence and allow them to come to you. Never reach out to them, lean over the fence or put your arm through the fence to reach them as this has the potential to spook them as they may interpret these gestures as a threat.

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after you have touched the animals, fences or any other surfaces around the animal enclosures.

Should you have questions or concerns please ask a member of staff for help.

Disabled Access

Brockswood is situated at the head of a shallow valley and we do have some sloped hardcore paths around the site that may be difficult for some of our disabled visitors, as they are a little uneven in some places. We do have ramps in all areas where there are steps, as well as a disabled toilet, and disabled parking spots close to the entrance; so wheelchair access is possible though not 100% ideal currently.

Please feel free to get in touch if you would like more information about getting around Brockswood, and how we can help you.